Editor’s Note: Over the next week, CNN's national security reporters and producers will be looking at some of the most poignant differences between the two candidates on the most pressing foreign policy issues. Watch for the stories all week on CNN. More from Election Center

While the topic certainly has not been absent in the rhetorical sparring between President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney, most of the campaign's focus thus far has been a battle over who has the best prescription to jolt a seemingly sluggish economic recovery.

But that changed last week. Romney's charge the United States was too quick to condemn a film that insulted Muslims before condemning the violence directed at American diplomatic missions abroad spurred Obama's claim that Romney had a tendency to "shoot first and aim later." And all this talk has opened a window on an area that is sure to consume a great deal of attention for whomever sits in the Oval Office next January.

The list of foreign policy challenges facing the United States is daunting - including an awakening in the Arab world with a direction still unknown, a looming nuclear crisis with Iran and an uncertain future in Afghanistan (and neighboring Pakistan) once U.S. troops withdraw in 2014.

And let's not forget a bloody civil war in Syria, where the fate of thousands of biological and chemical weapons also hang in the balance. Then there are fiscal issues, from debt crises plaguing Europe to economic and geo-political challenges posed by a rising China.

Here is a look at some of the most pressing foreign policy issues facing the United States, and how the candidates who seek to lead the country approach them.

IRAN

As the tension over Iran's disputed nuclear program ratchets up in the face of Israeli discord over the pace of current sanctions designed to curb Iran's nuclear ambitions, both Obama and Romney agree that Iran must not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

"We are determined to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon," Obama said in a press conference earlier this year alongside British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The Obama administration and European Union have launched parallel sanctions designed to squeeze Iran's petroleum sector and bring the economy to its knees as an incentive to get Iran to give up any military dimensions to its nuclear program.

In a recent interview with ABC News, Romney said he would draw the same line as Obama when it comes to Tehran's nuclear capacity.

"My red line is Iran may not have a nuclear weapon," he told ABC's George Stephanopoulos. "It is inappropriate for them to have the capacity to terrorize the world."

What ultimately constitutes that red line, though, is seemingly different for both men. For Obama, the Iranian government would have to take direct steps to actually acquire a weapon (which U.S. intelligence does not believe has happened yet), while Romney has said merely having a "nuclear capability" without actually moving ahead to produce a weapon would be a tipping point.

In Syria, where the carnage of the last year and a half has claimed tens of thousands of lives, the fate of the country's large stockpiles of chemical and biological weapons and whether to arm the opposition forces battling the regime of President Bashar al-Assad has drawn out differences between the two candidates.

What would trigger either overt or covert military involvement from the United States inside Syria?

"We have been very clear to the Assad regime, but also to the other players on the ground, that a red line for us is (when) we start seeing a whole bunch of chemical weapons moving around or being utilized," Obama said in a White House press conference last month. "That would change my calculus. That would change my equation."

As to supporting al-Assad's opposition, the administration has provide funds and non-lethal equipment like communications gear. In addition, the CIA is aiding in vetting rebel members for other countries who may be providing arms on their own.

For Romney, the Obama administration's policy of not providing arms to the Syrian opposition - whose character and composition is still uncertain, according to administration officials - is a mistake. The former Massachusetts governor supports greater American involvement in Syria.

"Instead of watching what's happening in Syria from a dispassionate distance, I would be leading in Syria by encouraging our friends there like the Turks and the Saudis to provide weapons to the insurgents in Syria," he said at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual briefing this summer.

No single foreign policy issue has bedeviled more U.S. presidents than the search for peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

Unlike previous presidents, for whom Mideast peace was mainly a focus in their second term, Obama entered office determined to work with all parties involved in the process to find a workable plan. But the effort did not go far, as the Israeli government continued to construct settlements in Palestinian areas and a unilateral quest for statehood by the Palestinians at the United Nations brought talks to a halt.

The relationship between Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is cool, and while they have put on a public face of U.S./Israeli solidarity when they meet, it is understood the two don't have much of a personal rapport. Romney and Netanyahu, on the other hand, have a relationship that goes back decades from the time they were colleagues at the Boston Consulting Group.

While the style and rhetoric of Obama and Romney's approach to the Middle East may differ, there are rather modest differences in the substance of their positions on the conflict's root issues. Both men say their personal view is that Jersualem is the capital of Israel, but that issue must be negotiated between the Israelis and Palestinians - a policy shared by previous presidential administrations, from both parties.

In a May 2011 speech at the State Department, Obama called for a two-state solution based on borders that existed before the 1967 Six-Day war. He also proposed "mutually agreed swaps" of land as a basis of negotiations. In an interview with CNN's Wolf Blitzer during a visit to Jersualem this past July, Romney would not comment on what borders he'd propose, but said, "I will leave that to the negotiating parties themselves."

Throughout the campaign, Romney has accused Obama of "throwing allies like Israel under the bus" and not giving due credence to Israeli concerns over Iran. He has also pledged Israel would be the first country he would visit as president.

But while the personal relationship between Obama and Netanyahu is well documented, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak told CNN in July that the bond between Israel and the United States are "stronger and deeper than ever" under Obama.

Both presidential contenders have said they respect Israel's sovereign right to defend itself against perceived threats - an apparent reference to Israeli apprehensions over Iran's nuclear program.

AFGHANISTAN

With the war in Afghanistan set to enter its twelth year in October, U.S. forces are on schedule to end their combat role by the end of 2014. The current plan calls for only a small number of American troops to remain to train Afghan forces.

After years of military focus on Iraq, Obama ordered a surge of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan in December 2009. At its peak, there were about 100,000 U.S. forces in the embattled country, intent on wrestling back control of areas in southern and eastern Afghanistan that had been taken over by the Taliban. That boost of troops was temporary and, by the end of September, all 30,000 extra troops will have been removed.

While Romney has called Obama's policy in Afghanistan a politically timed retreat, there is little evident daylight between them as to how they'd approach the U.S. military effort.

"Our goal should be to complete a successful transition to Afghan security forces by the end of 2014," Romney said this month in a speech before a National Guard Association meeting in Reno, Nevada. "I will evaluate conditions on the ground and solicit the best advice of our military commanders," he said.

That's not much different than what Obama said last month, during a visit to the Army base of Fort Bliss in Texas.

"Next year, Afghans will take the lead for their own security. In 2014, the transition will be complete," he said then.

It's what happens once military operations cease where differences between the two candidates come into view.

"We are pursuing a negotiated peace. In coordination with the Afghan government, my administration has been in direct discussions with the Taliban," Obama earlier this year, explaining his administration's policy of supporting reconciliation by all elements of Afghan society so long as minority and women's rights are respected, and violence is renounced.

Negotiating with the Taliban is a dangerous prospect, according to Romney.

"We don't negotiate with terrorists. I do not negotiate with the Taliban. That's something for the Afghans to decide how they're going to ... pursue their course in the future," he said last year during a Republican primary debate.

As commander in chief of the U.S. military, President Obama differs from Romney on what they see as the types of weapons and numbers of troops needed to defend the country.

In his remarks and position papers released by his campaign, Romney champions a large conventional force supplemented by 100,000 extra troops, which would bolster the entire military force to over 1.5 million.

"We must have a commitment," he said last week at an event in Virginia, "not just to more ships and more aircraft, but also, in my view, to more members of our armed forces."

In addition to extra troops, Romney has pledged to increase the Navy's shipbuilding rate from 9 to 15 new vessels a year, modernize existing weapons systems and establish a multilayered ballistic missile defense system. Romney has not said how he would pay for any of these measures.

With the war in Iraq over and military operations in Afghanistan winding down, Obama has said he wants to cut $500 billion in defense spending over the next decade. He does not support a second round of $500 billion in cuts that may take effect in January if Congress cannot reach an agreement on the federal budget.

The cuts in Obama's budget would get rid of older ships while delaying the construction of newer ones. His military would place more emphasis on small special forces teams that can deploy to hotspots worldwide, as well as the continued use of unmanned drones.

While drones and special forces would also play a role in Romney's defense strategy, the former governor says a strong and robust military is necessary to preserve America's leadership position in the world.

From the early days of his campaign up to the present, Romney has maintained that China - through its monetary policy and trade practices - is cheating Americans out of good jobs and opportunities, as well as stealing its intellectual property and know-how.

"If I'm president of the United States, I will finally take China to the carpet and say, 'Look you guys, I'm gonna label you a currency manipulator and apply tariffs unless you stop those practices," he said at a campaign event earlier this year.

Like previous administrations, Obama has not taken the step of designating China a "currency manipulator" out of concern such a move could start a trade war with a nation that enjoys a $200 billion trade surplus with the United States and holds even larger sums of U.S. debt. But Obama has brought lawsuits against Beijing at the World Trade Organization.

"We're going to continue to be firm in insisting that they operate by the same rules that everybody else operates under," he said last year at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.

On the sensitive issue of Taiwan, Obama has signed off on arms sales to the island - which China considers a renegade province - but he has refused to sell them advanced F-16 fighter jets. Romney has said he would sell additional arms to Taiwan and confront China more forcefully on its human rights record.

With Russia, Obama came to office looking to "reset" a relationship that become strained when George W. Bush was president. He negotiated a new arms control agreement, and Russian assent to opening crucial supply lines for coalition forces in Afghanistan.

As to Romney, earlier this year, he told CNN that Russia was, "without question, our number one geopolitical foe." He has said he will re-evaluate the arms control treaty, and will confront the Kremlin on its human rights record.

"Under my presidency, our friends will see more loyalty and Mr. Putin will see a little less flexibility and more backbone," Romney said at the recent Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida.

Romney has taken issue with the Obama administration's cancellation of plans, under Bush, to put missile defense components in Poland. But it should be noted that the United States is involved with, and supports, a NATO-sponsored missile defense shield that would host interceptors, ships and radars in Poland, Romania, Spain and Turkey. Russia has repeatedly voiced its disagreement with the NATO plan.

TERRORISM

For an issue that was front and center for the past decade, and took the country to war, terrorism has not gotten the attention it once did on the campaign trail.

The Obama administration has emphasized the use of unmanned drones to take out terrorists in Pakistan, Yemen and elsewhere. They have been used more frequently than during the Bush administration, and are seen as an effective tool of counter-terrorism that does not put U.S. troops in harms way.

But while the use of drones has expanded, Obama said deciding to deploy them presents significant challenges.

"That's something that you have to struggle with," Obama told CNN's Jessica Yellin in a recent interview. "If you don't, then it's very easy to slip into a situation in which you end up bending rules thinking that the ends always justify the means. That's not been our tradition. That's not who we are as a country."

And while he moved to close the military prison at Guantanamo Bay at the beginning of his administration, those efforts were blocked by Congress. He supports military tribunals for accused terrorists, but says he would like to see justice in federal courts.

For Romney, terrorists should be treated as enemy combatants, jailed at Guantanamo and tried by the military. He has said he would also allow more aggressive interrogation techniques on terrorism suspects.

Obama eliminated the enhanced interrogation techniques used during the Bush administration such as waterboarding, labeling such practices as torture. Romney has not specified what type of techniques his administration would employ.

soundoff(865 Responses)

Lance

The worst experience that I ever had in my life said Mitt the Twit Rob-Me was when my dad said I could not have that inexpensive $120,0000 dollar horse I had just seen ten minutes ago because times were tight and bought me a cheap $50,000 horse instead. That was when I learned ow it felt to be a middle class American.....

r. sucks big time.
the people he backs are jewish 1 percent and war-mongering croonies and puppets.
he does not care at all about the servicemen and women, the veterans, nor their families.
the guy sucks so bad that if he is elected president – i may have to shun the news for a few years just to keep my sanity and my breakfast down.
o. and his lackeys give me severe heartache – but i cannot stand the thought of waking up to a country run by mccain who picked palin over romney (were his tax reports not good enough then – or was he not good enough) the first time around. what clowns and fools. there is absolutely nothing redeeming about them.

Obama will win the war about it .This is a easy question ,the big is China and US where wants to go in next 4 years.
There are the big countrys in the world.What is the goverments's job?As one of the people ,what is good for us.

hilarious. I think by definition, the midlde class is the midlde three quintiles of American earners. That makes up 60% of America right now, and the wage range is somewhere in the neighborhood of $25,000 per year up to $200,000 a year. If you make more than $200,000 per year, you are not midlde class.

It's unbelievable! But not unexpected that Obama's Biased Liberal Media would attack Romney and not the Obama/Democrat Islamist comrades who trampled American property and killed American citizens in Libya. In another disgusting affront to the American people, Hillary Clinton appologizes for the cause of these heinous acts of hers, Obama's and their Democratic Islamist friends as "hurting the feeling of the Muslims". What about the feelings of all the Christians KILLED by the Obama Islamist friends?! But Obama's Biased Liberal Media themselves have jumped the gun purposely to blame a little known and viewed film. As it turns out now, the evidence is that the Libya and other atttacks were planned: Libya arrests 50 over US envoy killing, blaming the Benghazi attack on foreign extremists and claiming it was pre-planned. And where was Obama? Fundraising again! Where is your outrage America?!
OBAMA FUNDRAISES AS LIBYA BURNS! This shows the true face of the anti-god, Marxist, Muslim Obama and the nature of his Liberal Democratic supporters who also hate America. CHARLOTTE, Sep 4, 2012 4:33pm: Democrats Shift Language on Israel, Remove ‘God-Given’ From Platform. For Democrats, there is no God in 2012 — at least as far as the party’s platform is concerned. Nor is there a Jerusalem.
Three years after the Fort Hood killing of 13 unarmed American soldiers, Obama still has not prosecuted his Islamist friend U.S. Army Major Nidal Malik Hasan.
CAIRO,Sun Jul 8, 2012 4:56pm EDT: Obama invites Egypt's Islamist leader to U.S. On an Egyptian website, the Muslim Brotherhood's Egyptian president, Mohammed Morsi, stated that Christians will be forced to “convert, pay tribute, or leave” and that his goal was to “achieve the Islamic conquest of Egypt for the second time, and make all Christians convert to Islam”. Morsi also stated that he would restore “the United States of the Arabs” and that “the capital of the United States of the Arabs will be Jerusalem, Allah willing.” In July 2012, Morsi reinstated the Islamist-dominated parliament that was disbanded earlier. In August, 2012, Morsi asked Mohamad Hussein Tantawi, head of the country's armed forces, and Sami Anan, the Army chief of staff, to resign.[ Mohamed Morsi fired two more high-rank security officials on August 16, 2012: intelligence chief Murad Muwafithe and the commander of his presidential guards.
Huffington Post, August 12, 2012, 11:33 PM: At a Ramadan celebration at the White House, Obama promoted religious freedom at his annual Muslim Iftar Dinner in the White House after he forced Catholic organizations to pay for abortion and birth control coverage with his HHS mandate. The mandate officially violates religious freedom in the United States. Obama also repeated the hoax that Thomas Jefferson held an Iftar Dinner there. Obama also rewrote history and showed his true Islamic faith by declaring that "Islam — like so many faiths — is part of our national story". Obama didn’t mention the three US Marines who were betrayed and gunned down by an Afghan police officer on the same day.

Wong, you are making a terrible mistake, whatever you hate God has a reason for creating it, and know you will never correct God. But you can correct yourself. may be your first son may later be a Muslim who knows ? so be careful on what you hate, you might end up deeply in it. after all Islam needs guys like who can extend the religion to others using wisdom.

Les i do not think you understand the situation on the ground. This notion of America of bullying everybody is no longer an option when it comes to international politics. Your create more enemies of America, some of them are hot heads they do not comprehend the dynamics of democracy

@Les Wong something tells me even Fox News must seem like a communist politburo outfit to you. Heck, just about everything must look like a communist plot once you get that far out in Glenn Beck territory.

What happened in Libya was certainly a terrible tragedy, and it is being looked into just as it should be. Al Qaeda or other extremists may very likely have been involved and that has been widely acknowledged, including by the State Department. Noone is denying that. As you yourself said, Libyan authorities are investigating and arresting people suspected of involvement, exactly as should be happening – it is the host country who is responsible for securing embassies and consulates. The notion that there is some coverup going on in regards to the attack on the consulate is simply absurd.

You could the US into an absolute police state and still not prevent any/all attacks from occuring. Just out of curiosity, what WOULD be the proper response, in your mind, for this attack? Carpet bomb Libya or the whole Middle East or something? Doing so would only put us on the same level as these terrorists we are seeking to defeat – killing innocent people to achieve our goals. Fortunately most Americans have higher morals, and clearer heads, than you do.

Only the strong can pretend to be weak. The weak can never pretend to be strong. America is the strongest nation in the world. Mitt,America does need to be perpetually at war with the weak. Please tone down the the rhetoric about Obama being a weak leader. On the contrary your lust for war shows that you are weak and ever ready to bully those who do not agree with you.

October 5, 2012 at 8:58 pm |

rexdogcanadien

Only the strong can pretend to be weak. The weak could never pretend to be strong. America is the strongest nation in the world. Mitt,America does need to be perpetually at war with the weak. Please tone down the the rhetoric about Obama being a weak leader. On the contrary your lust for war shows that you are weak and ever ready to bully those who do not agree with you.

October 5, 2012 at 9:01 pm |

jerome

Your desk about Bo Xilai and thin guagua statement reported that the cause of widespread interest and concern of the world. There may be some Confidential difficult insight. The CPC 18th largest in full swing to Xi Jinping from the Diaoyu Islands in the storm, "'illness mysterious disappearance"' throws devil Bo Xilai until the eve of National Day, foreign analysts extensive analysis reported accordingly. Borrow Diaoyu Island incident hype to divert the line of sight of the domestic and foreign, the 18 big powers, routes, factions and facing the beleaguered struggle and Game, although Duhen tricky the Bo Xilai event and the Diaoyu Islands incident, however, Nang outside must first be peace well, the economic downturn, the real estate bubble, the crisis of confidence of the political scandal, and the new Left's desperate counterattack with orthodox reformist radicals and with big genre between the fierce fight between the conservatives is obvious. Not a Bo Xilai and a crisis of the Diaoyu Islands incident, but the political stability and economic to maintain the stability of the major crisis. Chinese idiom speaks to us Europe and the United States is not very proficient in the operation of China's political and risks where "ulterior motives, lies in the Landscape", so, to be proficient in Chinese and Chinese political indeed takes effort. Media scholars, European and American Sinologist colleagues share. prof. jerome geneva 2/10/2012

....to MichellePasadena.....Its a shame that you repeat the proven lies that Mitt blabs. How can you believe a man who says"He won't show you his taxes, but says trust me". Would you play poker with someone who won't show you his cards but says "Trust me, I win". He has done everything legal but what he does is NOT ethical. Bernie Madoff said 'Trust me" to a lot of very smart people and we know what happened there. Anyone that says "Trust me" but won't show proof of what he says is running a con. Mitt has already said what he thinks about the 47% of us. Are you going to forget this. He is supposed to president of ALL the people. Mitt has failed the smell test.

Only in faux news world is Romney ahead. Watch some real news and get the truth. You can't go through life being gullible all the time.

September 24, 2012 at 12:29 pm |

Gangnam style

If my memory serves me correctly, it's Mitt and alike that move jobs overseas for cheaper labor.Do you want to know why? Because American workers ask for too much to talk on the phone. Plus benefits – 15 days paid off, health care, Short term disability, Maternity leave, and so on... So it's not that President hates rich people, rich people cares more about bottom line. And you are nothing but a 'binder'

October 19, 2012 at 5:00 pm |

5612jean

You know that's Ann Romney you responding to. Also, the job creator, such as mitt romney has 8 million dollars vested in the company that just put 200 people out of work to send more jobs to China. This is how he creates jobs, jobs overseas. What is wrong with these people that they see what he has just done and continue to support this liar?

Michelle, I am very worried the way some people reacts to issues, why will you say something like this; I believe for best interest try to understand the issues before you jump into conclusion. President Obama is only asking them to pay their fair share in their income tax like everyone else does. They pay less than 14% while some people less privileged pay up to 25 to 30%, they are the one breaking the tax law and it has nothing to do with Obama thank you.

I've heard Presidential candidate Mitt Romney supports a 15% tax break for the richest 21 people while President Obama does not support this idea. I would like to see more discussion on this issue because I think this may be the defining reason who gets elected in November and how that reason will affect millions of US citizens living below the poverty line. The normal citizen is looking at the national debt crisis right now and thinking this is going on, so how is this huge gigantic debt problem going to be resolved and that Presidential candidate Romney will tax all the people below the wealthiest people more instead to solve the debt economic problem.

Once again the flip flopping romney has flipped. He now claims he concerned about that 47% he dissed at his for wealthy white people only fundraising dinner. Do we believe the new mitt or the one who told us how he really feels back in May. Frankly, I don't believe anything that comes out of his mouth. He has been caught in lie after lie. What does he do when he gets caught in a lie. He continues to repeat it as if it is the truth. He lies are easy enough to verify, but that doesn't stop him. This man is so not trustworthy.

September 21, 2012 at 9:33 am |

Samuel Azubuike

Ghazi, what do you know about politics, Obama has done more and very much concern about their relationship than Bush and Republicans they are just playing politics with them.

This is the best policy any President in 20 years has had with Israel! It is about time that the USA stop supporting all the idiot polocies and actions the Israelies pursue! Israel has no shame in insulting the USA at every opportunity they get! Israel is NO ally (no better than Pakistan)!
Be careful what Mitt Romney "talks about"! He would never send his own children (spoiled rich kids) to fight a war for Israel! Mitt would happily volunteer all the 47% he despises to go to war! Then finance his "war for Israel" with generous tax cuts for his wealthy friends!

I bet you are also on handouts if I’m not mistaking, the basic help the government give to the poor or less privilege is now been politicize to benefit the Right. Some people are just very naïve, you have just forgetting how the Republicans are blocking everything the President had ever proposed including the Job Act; because their goal was to make him one time president. They do not care if the rest 99% goes down the drain.

It is no secret that Hitler and his Nazi cronies sought inspiration from Indian extremist groups including the branding of his Nazi Party by adopting the Swastika, a traditionally Hindu symbol and representation of Hindu god Ganesha, as its marketing tool. The thesis being that like the Norwegian massacre the Jewish holocaust orchestrated by Hitler was inspired by the inherently violent cult of Indian Hindus and the manifesto of its then extremist/terrorist groups still in existence today. These groups are now the successors to and carrying out the vision of Al Qaeda all over the world albeit in a clandestine manner.

That is because no one really has heard any of it Have we finally evolved into human beings with absolutely no common sense?

September 18, 2012 at 8:29 pm |

MichellePasadena

Shall we describe this as an "evolving" event, once again. Tomorrow is another day and we will receive further "updates" on the facts according to the election campaign.
For me I'm hopeful the MSM will continue to announce the election is in the bag for Barry. I enjoy surprises!

September 21, 2012 at 12:06 am |

hindu

stupid argument and your thesis, wat is the source of your statements ? ... hinduism doesnt invoke violence and hatred. The representation of lord ganesha and his weapons means to eradicate evil ( source hindu scriptures) , not in the literal sense of killing people and promoting violence and hatred.

You are totally wrong. There is no violent Hindu group with swastika or Ganesha as a party symbol. Please don't confuse people.Is there are any violent groups in India they are small and their violence is confine to small areas. Don't try to connect Hitler with Hindu religion.

Youre right. To add to that, The swastika is used in the Hindu religion as a symbol of love. It has been used like that way before Hitlers days. It was only tainted when he came into power

September 18, 2012 at 5:07 pm |

Roger Ball

Wow!, the Indian Hindus are taking over for Al Qaeda. Now that's news, but I recommend not telling the Muslim world, it might set off even more violence that the Hindus are trying to take over. You should try traveling more, and reading about cultural differences. Nazis, Hindus and Al Qaeda, oh my! Do you have the slightest clue how massive and diverse the Hindu nation is? . . . And this has to do with the differences in Obama's and Romney's foreign policy how?

People like you create misunderstanding and promote violence. Violence between two communities in is common but Hindus have never gone out to promote violence or hatred in the name of a religion or political views.

People like you create misunderstanding and promote violence. Violence between two communities is common but Hindus have never gone out to promote violence or hatred in the name of a religion or political views.

mmaybe we should cut or not increase offense or i mean defense.. we have a debt , maybe they want us broke for new world..but what if that doesnt work ..what a mess right... so detract a little in areas we dont need to be ..save money.. also we should just take care of irans buildings in 2013 , like how they did with osama in pakistan..just defuse it safely .. break the computers ..or something that isnt full on war ..but simply taking out or messing up the progress of a nuke.

After reading 200 of these opionions i have something to share. The psychiatic centers in the United States should be ready for a influx at any time.They can not cure" stupid", so no need to visit your family doc.There are many folks who can not read nor do you hear, so with what has been written, it must be the voices in your own head. Psychiatrist every where must be jumping with joy reading these boards.Wake up people....Obama is the right man for the job. If you do not think so, please read bills he passed, how your republican congress wanted a one term president and how they have blocked the economy from progressing...this is not the President at all. Vote out your congress!!!

October 18, 2012 at 12:03 am |

Samuel Azubuike

you're very correct he's for the rich and his foreign policy will do more harm than good to USA 🙂

You left out that Obama has given 1.5 BILLION dollars of taxpayer's money to the Muslim Brotherhood. Obama by-passed Congress's vote and just gave it to a terrorists link group. What a solid foreign policy!!

Actuall Congress voted long ago on providing the Foreign Military Financing of which that was a major portion. The Obama Administration only waived the Democracy requirements, which you, as a Republican, you probably really don't mind. The vast majority of this goes to the military for use in buying American defense industy equipment and services. Very little can stay in Eygpt, but some does, and their economy needs it. Most comes back home to America. And, it keeps their military going, which isn't always in the back pocket of the Muslim Brotherhood, in an area of the world where the Military often is the strongest arm of government. Oh, and yes, some Liberals suck, but so do some Right Wing Conservatives, especially when neither of them have done their home work. Just an American!

There they go again. In an attempt to make it sound incendiary, republican are calling the finacial assistance given to Egypt, a contribution to the Muslim Brotherhood.

September 19, 2012 at 11:23 am |

TessCommetns

I do Not think Obama's Foreign Policies are working.
Crisis in the Middle-East, Uprisings since 9/11/12
Obama does not seem to know if Egypt is an Ally or not.
Obama does not seem to want to have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel.
Bin Laden is Dead But al-Qaeda and other militant Islamist organizations seem to be holding their own.
American TRAINED AFGHANISTAN Soldiers/Police are turning on US Soldiers and killing them.

"Obama does not seem to want to have a meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel."
I agree with Obama! When Israel gets a "leader" who will respect our President (instead of insulting him every chance he gets), then a meeting would be appropriate! Meanwhile it is best to ignore him!

When is Mitt the Twitt Rob-Me going to stand up for the brave veterans murdered on the USS Liberty by Israel and demand that their testimony be taken under oath by Congress instead of always bowing down to master Nutty-Yahoo. It looks like Mitt Rob-Me looks lhe wants to outsource the job of the President of the USA to Israhell and Nutty-Yahoo. Well Americans are not going to forget the veterans of teh USS Liberty no matter the lying decitful behaviour of Israel-Firsters in America. Readers should google the web site of survivors of the USS Liberty and link it to their Facebook page and place tyhis link on as amany locations as they can.

Dont forget Lavon affair In 1954, Israeli agents working in Egypt planted bombs in several buildings, including a United States diplomatic facility, and left evidence behind implicating Arabs as the culprits. The ruse would have worked, had not one of the bombs detonated prematurely, allowing the Egyptians to capture and identify one of the bombers, which in turn led to the round up of an Israeli spy ring.

You are upset about resourcing......but you don't acknowledge the most recent outsourcing by Obozo.......the buses purchased out of TN..........over 1mil a copy...........1 was made in Canada...........In IL there is a bus manufacturer that wasn't good enough for his buses...........before you complain about anything about Romney first take a look at your precious hero in the WH. With his continued bumbling and campainging instead of working......ie; all year he has fund raised and campaigned..........how about working for a change, like what he was hired for.......that is why we need someone to work for us and not your stupid notions that you have stated here.

Jerry, do you not realize that WE The American Taxpayers are on to the scams used by Israel-Firsters to betray America. If you love IsraHell so much, why don't you go live there, Jerry, instead of acting like a Jonathon Pollard clone?

People really do get dumber everyday as evidenced by this idiot. I suppose you are one of those silly birthiers. If President Obama had been born in Kenya, his mother's passport would have let that cat out of the bag a long time ago. I'll bet you've got some asinine answer for that as well.

Romney doesn't care about 47% of the citizens of the USA! Are these all muslims? I don't think so!
Be very careful who you vote for! Any vote for Romney is a vote for the richest 2% who is really all he cares about! The rest of us are on "on our own"! Did you get a pay raise this year from your "rich" employer? You won't next year either!

Trollers have already rineud the game, Troll. You just made my point. I have a registered nic I prefer to use. If everybody else follows the same rules its a fair game if not the rules have to change. Thanks for ruining a great site Troll, we USED to have interesting conversations here. Funny, it was Tracy Briggs endorsement that brought you here. Wish she hadn't done that.

November 11, 2012 at 2:42 pm |

Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

Forget about foreign policy. Mitt Romney is a blatant racist, a bigot and a deceitful shameless hypocrite who believes that 47% of Americans are nomads and out casst of society. I wish Romney and his family were the ones slaughtered at our consulate in Benghazi. But perhaps his day will come soon. As a hard working tax paying American who have worked two jobs for many years to pay off student loans and other debt, I find Romney's comments to be very appalling and disrespectful to say the least But what is even more outrageous about Romney's comments about the 47 % he argued are going to vote for President Obama, Mitt Romney has deliberately ommitted the millions of white Americans on welfare who vote republican. So are these white Americans better and more decent and responsible than the Americans he say collect welfare and vote for the President? Mitt Romney I hate you so much I hope you get assassinated.

Whooooa....calm down. Excellent that you're a great guy who supports Obama, but seriously, don't make yourself look back in time, and think "jeez, what a pretty stupid rant & rave I went on about the Romney idiot".........Know what I mean?

This is a serious election. However, if you want to get into minutia, I'd rather be on the roof of a car than the roof of a mouth. President Obama has been our president four nearly four years. When you and/or I screw up work do we blame our predecesors? I only wish I knew more about Obama before I voted for him the first time.

You hate Romney and I think Romney made a mistake about the 47% not paying taxes but I would Not vote for Obama.
Obama's idea about making money is printing it Romney's idea about making money is creating it.
Obama knew 3 days before 9/11 that Libya was going to have problems at the embassy.
Obama on 9/12 goes out fund raising to Vegas campaigning for donations.
How can you be so blind about Obama, he gives away our money like it was nothing and he thinks nothing of printing it. I do not understand why the media is so Obama when he even says he believes in redistribution and that is what he wants to do. Listen we are getting to the point of what the Bible has said all along a loaf of bread will be a day’s wages.
I have no problem with another democrat but this democrat has most fooled, he will take America down and that is what he wants to do. As far as Romney goes he has made some stupid comments but he loves this country and when he is talking tax cuts so people will open small businesses and get back to work. Listen no matter who is the next president America will fail because of the deficits but with Romney it will take a little longer because he will cut spending he will try to save America. I say Jesus will be back a lot sooner than people think and our election is in God's hands and I pray he will have mercy on us all!

Foreign policy knowledge is not something that you recieve as "on-the-job training". He needs to understand the relationships of all foreign countries that we have issues/business with...even right now.

September 18, 2012 at 4:34 pm |

StanCalif

Romney's only foreign policy is to talk about how he would support Israel! He has not yet experienced how Israel can, as does, insult the US and our President every chance they get! So far, Obama has kept Israel from attacking Iran. Will Romney do this? Romney doesn't have a clue yet! All he wants today is Jewish votes! "Bebe" is a dangerous man, Romney doesn't know this yet!

Mitt the Twitt Rob-Me is an Israel-Firster who would sell out the USA for his Precious (said like Golem in the Lord of the Rings), IsraHell. Unfortunately politicians from both political parties have sold out the USA for their PRECIOUS. No wonder Pat Buchanan calls Congress "Israeli-occupied territory"..

Ron Paul might be the best fit for President, but realistically hee2€™s not going to get the nomniation because the actors are already on the stage and hee2€™s not.While saddening, I fully agree with this. A cursory study of the will show how controlled it is, and easily explains why certain people receive overwhelming media attention (Anna Nicole Smith, Bald Britney, etc.) while others who should, do not (Ron Paul, Ignacio Ramos, Jose Compean, Security and Prosperity Partnership, and a host of other important people, policies, and events).Thank God for the internet.

This morning as I was watching the state of the union I could not believe that Candy Crowley admitted that she herself is taking advantage of the IRS tax loop hole, as she was interviewing two senators this morning in reference to Mitt. 14.1% tax paid for 2011. In reality what does this mean and the message to tax payers; so we all should do the same. Is very ironic that some people can do or say something and is alright while some other people cannot do likewise (it will be considered a crime). “If tax loop hole is good for the rich then IRS should start paying back some money to those who followed the rules”.

Romney works only for the RICH people to make them more risk starting by himself as Georg W Bush did, now he is working for his pockets, and if he has no LEG in the WEAPON industry why he wants to open TWO WARS (SYRYA and IRAN) to sell his weapons and destroy US economy!, WARS will only hurt Middle and Poor class, Rich people will be fine after all, and I believe that USA = 80%(Middle and Poor class)+20% Rich. I believe that Middle Class has the right in the US more than Rich do. I am Republican middle class and I will vote for OBAMA, PERIOD.

There is only one President at a time and if Romney and all of the other pundits would remember that and stand behind this President during this National crisis all would be well. The President is doing right to let this play out this is caused by a few miltants and not all of the people in those countries who wanted to be free from tyranny.

The President has a quiet demeanor and doing a great job in forienge affairs.

Obama is campaigning too! He is not quiet in demeanor on the campaign trail . Remember his enemies are his fellow Americans that he exclaimed in 2008 were "clinging to their guns and bibles." He sure didn't show a quiet demeanor against his fellow Americans. Obama is friends with the Egyptians and Hezbollah and is afraid to challenge or demean them in the same way he is American citizens. He is shameful President indeed!

Quite demeanor? Stop drinking your breakfast. What is so quite about the thousands of speeches, fundraisers, press conferences and his inability to not link EVERYTHING back to himself. Maybe his quiet demeanor is when all the liberal tv/cable/newspapers/radio arms of the DNC are constantly picking apart and attacking Romney while they do nothing but praise and praise and praise Obonhead. You dont think all that is orchestrated? Take your head out of the sand – or wherever else it may be....

In India, millions of girls are strangled, slowly starved or simply tossed in the trash. Moreover, in India, at least 1,370 girls are aborted every day. As a comparison, some 250 Indians die every day in road accidents. Terrorists killed about six people, on an average, every day in 2009. In the last two decades of economic progress, 10 million girls have died as such in India.

FORCED GENOCIDE, mk-ultra experiments (Top secret soviet KGB torture techniques) used on the American public daily!!!!! WHY TO ACCEPT LIABILITIES FOR CRIMES WHEN THEY CAN SIMPLY ASSASSINATE(YOU)!!!!! Slovak ethnic cleansing 2.0, american whites are in danger of forced blackmail, extreme terrosim/liberalism/communism across the globe if Obama is elected!!!!!!!!!1

The Middle East is in turmoil, the economy is tanking, the deficit is at an all-time high, government corruption is rampant etc. etc. etc. and the CNN headline is about some "secret" recording of Mitt Romney telling the truth. Hilarious!

Romney spoke the truth, about time the American Public heard it. Sorry if that hurts people's feelings but there are way too many handouts in this country, wake up and stand up for yourself, Obama/Socialist wants you to feel that you cannot sustain yourself without gov't help, please wake up America and become the Nation that pulls together instead of ripping itself apart.

Dubs, there may be a lot of Americans getting handouts in this country, but the vast amount of those handouts are going to the ultra rich, and that needs to stop! If half this country is doing absolutely nothing but getting handouts, it is truly a pitifull shame that the largest percentage of the handouts still go to the top five percent of the people or less. Maybe that is why the bottom half of this great nation can't afford to pay taxes, according to your ignorant perception of reality. Wake up, dude! We still live in the richest nation on earth, yet the system is slanted to give those with the most even more. Time to correct that terrible error, not by handing out more to the poor, but by stopping giving more handouts to the rich! Every man should have the right to become rich in America, but then to pay back to this great nation that helped them make it. A good capitalist doesn't go to the poor to get money, he goes to the rich. Think about it.

The point I got from the tape: 47% of Americans are disdained by and have been abandoned by the "flag bearer" of the Republican Party AND many of its members. THAT IS IMPORTANT! When voters decide on WHO will benefit THEM in any "economic recovery", that's an important piece of information.

Age-old standards of banking prudence got thrown out the window. In their place came harsh new regulations requiring banks not only to lend to uncreditworthy borrowers. President-elect Barack Obama's newly appointed chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, served on the board of directors of the federal mortgage firm Freddie Mac at a time when scandal was brewing at the troubled agency and the board failed to spot "red flags," according to government reports reviewed by ABCNews.com.
According to a complaint later filed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, Freddie Mac, known formally as the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, misreported profits by billions of dollars in order to deceive investors between the years 2000 and 2002.The actions by Freddie Mac are cited by some economists as the beginning of the country's economic meltdown.
The federal government this year was forced to take over Freddie Mac and a sister federal mortgage agency, Fannie Mae, pledging at least $200 billion in public funds.
Freddie Mac records have been subpoenaed by the Justice Department as part of its investigation of the suspect accounting procedures.
Emanuel was named to the Freddie Mac board by President Bill Clinton in 2000 and resigned his position when he ran for Congress in May, 2001. abc nov 7 2008

You know their motto is the fair and unbaised news. Part of their cast of characters are also employed by the failing romney campaign. How's that for fair and unbiased. They're not a real news station anyway.

September 21, 2012 at 10:36 am |

JeannieM

That didn't work for mccain/palin and it won't work for ryan/romney. I guess desparate times call for desparate measures. ryan/romney see the White House is slipping through their lying fingers.

Now we learn or not, what happened in Benghazi. What will the media will do now. CNN, MSNBC, et al will need to now find sometihing to make news. For me, now we have BO returning to office, and the czars and no mandate, let's see what happens. BO has no where to go. Hold on to your hats tolks. Thinngs do not get better.

November 6, 2012 at 11:48 pm |

smh1999

The deception and misinformation regarding GM
It all started with a statement by President Obama, to paraphrase: We do not want to be involved in the day to day operations and decisions of the New GM, and we have no intention of micro-managing their new executive team.
But....
The administration forced out the CEO of General Motors, Rick Wagoner
FOIA, (Freedom of Information Act), filings found that GM’s TV ad campaign last year that misleadingly* claimed that the company had paid back its government loan in full was approved by the administration. They also uncovered e-mails between GM CEO Ed Whitacre and various Treasury and other federal officials a month in advance of GM’s announcement of TARP loan repayments. These emails included draft schedules, draft remarks to be given by Mr. Whitacre, and draft press releases from both GM and the Treasury Department.
*GM did not payback the TARP loans as their announcement appeared to say. They only paid back one particular loan package of $6.7 billion – not the $49.5 billion the announcement implied. Even worse was that GM also did not repay the loan with monies and profits from the newly invigorated company – they paid it back with more TARP funds from another TARP escrow account, none of the repayment funds came from GM monies.
And Obama's administration knew this, and as shown above, actually helped compose and orchestrate the public announcements that deceived the public.
The Obama administration also took to the airwaves, proclaiming GM's announcement of 2011 1st quarter profits of $3.7 billion dollars, as proof of the success of their bailout efforts in saving the auto industry. President Obama even held a press conference to proclaim this as a sign of of the success of his administrations bailout efforts.
But, it wasn't true. $1.5 billion of that $3.7 billion came directly from the spin-off sale of GM's Delphi group, and a couple other smaller business units, and had nothing to do with sales and operational profits.. Leaving a real operational profit of only $1.2 billion, which was less than Ford's "non-government" assisted profits for the same quarter. The $1.2 billion number was even more misleading because it did not include any tax costs, (but Ford's numbers did), due to the $45 billion tax-loss "gift" the bankruptcy court allowed GM to carry forward onto the new company's books.

When Obama met with ACORN leaders in November, he reminded them of his history with ACORN and his beginnings in Illinois as a Project Vote organizer, a nonprofit focused on voter rights and education. Senator Obama said, "I come out of a grassroots organizing background. That's what I did for three and half years before I went to law school. That's the reason I moved to Chicago was to organize. So this is something that I know personally, the work you do, the importance of it. I've been fighting alongside ACORN on issues you care about my entire career. Even before I was an elected official, when I ran Project Vote voter registration drive in Illinois, ACORN was smack dab in the middle of it, and we appreciate your work."

American diplomats were warned of possible violent unrest in Benghazi three days before the killings of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three members of his team, Libyan security officials say.

The claim came as the country's interim President, Mohammed el-Megarif, said his government had information that the attack on the US consulate had been planned by an Islamist group with links to al-Qa'ida and with foreigners taking part.

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its obvious to the world that these puppets will have no say on the foreign policy. Its controlled by the rothchilds and the neocons. Its interesting to see almost all in the whitehouse have very similar aims when it come to israel and foreign policy. I read along the cnn forums and all i see is anti islam comments. Your anti islam hate will incite more american hate from around the world.

After reading the Obama Administration's "foreign policy" views – it now become more apparent where the "shoot first, aim later" claim is coming from. His entire foreign policy is based upon a "wait and see" approach, not a proactive approach. It is now very apparent that the attacks on the Embassys were the result of the Obama Administration's approach to foreign policy. This Administration had evidence that our Embassys were going to be attacked 48 hours before anything occurred – and they did nothing – until it happened... Our Ambassador that was killed (Stevens) was not even in Libya until that day, as he was told it was safe to go to the Embassy.

Really read the foreign policy approach of this President, especially concerning Iran. We want to see "credible evidence" before we'll do anything? We had CREDIBLE EVIDENCE before our Embassys were attacked – and we did nothing.... If you live the intrepretation of "credible evidence" to this Administration, we will continue to have more violence and more chaos and put the entire world in harm's way. It is irresponsible for any American to cast a vote for Obama given his stance....

If you can't stomach voting Romney as the alternative – I would suggest that you just stay home that day....

I am amazed how people no matter what party can think about Romney/Ryan, Romney stated he does not care for almost half of american citizens, Ryan's plan to lower taxes for everyone to promote jobs, proven wrong with stats to back it up today. Blames Obama with a majority of congress GOP/Tea Party nutcases pledged to the norquist pledge no taxes, not the american people for the economy, they focus on aboration, womens rights, and just took a 7-week break, jobs, economy, alot could be done, GOP governors taking away voter rights, do you see a pattern here folks, wake up...

No he said 47% of people depend on government. Where is the government going to get all of it's money if Obama stays in office fewer people will have jobs and fewer will pay taxes. It is time to restore good paying middle class jobs and end this China BS that the President states he doesn't want but he has no problem borrowing from China now does he. Obama is a grade A hypocrite...promises...promises.

That is not what he said – he said 47% of Americans are dependent upon the government. Why the outrage if it's true? The question we should be asking ourselves is – is this the country that we want? People came to America for freedom and opportunity, not to live off the government. We need a change in direction. I'm happy that someone posted this about Romney – maybe it will get us talking about real solutions to getting people off of government dependence.

For your consideration. If President Obama is re-elected, who does he blame when the economy doesn't improve? Who does he blame when the layoffs of defense oriented businesses begin in January? Who does he blame when further violence occurs in the middle east occurs? When our credit standing in the world further diminsihes? What happens when unemployment raises? Please recognize the House and Senate has been controlled by Democrats since 2006. Until 2006 indeed our economy was thriving. The pundits only focus on 2008 (2 years after the demos controlled both houses). Frankly, maybe it may be well for BHO to win. The media will run out of excuses as will the administration currently in "control" That's the operative word "control" Take heart conservatives, if BHO wins we can sit back and watch the comedy of errors known as the current administration. Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

28 countries as we speak are having riots and CNN does not even report it.
Obama will meet with Letterman and JZ but will not meet with Isreael's prime minister about the nuclear threat.. Obama makes a big deal about the California video but what about the film that netted 13 million for Jon Stewert, religious where he dogs religion and gives an ending of the movie with insulting Islam
Obama's movie coming out will be showing Obama as the hero of killing Obama as in the Middle East they are chanting Obama, Obama we are all Osama's.
And Obama was burned in effigy- I am scared to death and worringing what is happening and Obama is out talking about all that Romney does wrong.
Will if Isreael bombs we will all pay dearly. We know that a nuclear strike form Iran or any other nation against Israel will be disastrous for the world and Obama and CNN, MSNBC will not show us what is going on?
The Libyian president said that there were no protestors just a storm of 125 men and they even launched a small missle.

Obama's Policy towards Russia: " Tell Vladimir I will have more flexibilty after the election"
Towards China: "ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-"
Towards Terrorists: " We will work with terrorists, can't we just be friends?"

Comparing Romney's recent gaffs to president Obama's steady concentration to detail on foreign areas and people, there is no comparison. Romney comments over the past seven years, coupled with recent primary accounts by himself and his contenders, make me wonder more about what he hasn't told the public. There are those who will never accept that McCain lost decisively to Obama. No budget numbers, no tax returns, no votes for Romney!

Are you serious? Attention to detail? At the bidding of the White house, Susan Rice has made a complete ass of herself trying to peddle that story about the assassinations in Libya. She contradicted the assessment of the Libyan President AND members of our own Intlligence committee. This is Obama's attempt to cover-up deaths for which he is responsible. His foreign policy of apology has competely FAILED! Only those who don't really care about this country would vote for this bumbling idiot again.

Both President Obama and Mitt Romney are good and decent men. I might consider voting for Romney if the Romney that was Mass. governor was running instead of the Romney who so wants to be President that, to gain the Tea Party and religious-right votes, he has, indeed, become someone he is not. Many times when he is speaking Tea Party "speak", he truly looks embarassed. This is the price Mr. Romney is paying for desperately wanting to be president. President Obama is a man of education, common sense and a man of principal. He believes negotiations before war while Romney, at the urging of the nuts in the Republican party, stated he would absolutely bomb Iran. Just what we need – another Republican lead Middle-Eastern war. I fear greatly for our country should Mr. Romney or, actually, any Republican be elected. We are a country of good and decent people and the world looks to us for leadership and guidance let's show them we are worthy of our leadership by electing the man most-able to lead us effectively, President Obama.

Our diety God was booed at the DNC convention. As was Jerusaleum, the capitol of Israel.

September 18, 2012 at 1:01 am |

DrRH

If Obama is re-elected you can kiss your freedoms goodbye–and maybe your nice southern backyard after Iran sells its first dirty bomb. (And Oh, yes, they will.) Think less about "niceness" and more about survival.. This country is on the verge of economic disaster (why do I have a hard time believing that you ever read anything about economics?) and if Obama gets his way, your children and grandchildren are going to suffer like the burning of Atlanta. Stop being a sissy and act more like a yankee girl. There's a reason the north won war.

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CNN's Security Clearance examines national and global security, terrorism and intelligence, as well as the economic, military, political and diplomatic effects of it around the globe, with contributions from CNN's national security team in Washington and CNN journalists around the world.